The “Be Like a Woman” program, an initiative of EY and New Faces New Voices—an organization affiliated with the Graça Machel Trust—hosted a session in Maputo dedicated to strengthening women’s entrepreneurship, bringing together female entrepreneurs and leaders from the financial sector in the auditorium of Banco Comercial e de Investimentos (BCI). The initiative reaffirmed the commitment of the participating organizations to promoting inclusive and sustainable economic development in Mozambique.
According to a press release sent to Diário Económico, the session followed a challenge issued by Francisco Costa, Chairman of BCI’s Executive Committee, during the closing ceremony of the program’s third edition, in which he encouraged female entrepreneurs to present their projects directly to the bank’s management—a strategic partner of the initiative since its inception.
The session, considered a pioneering “pitch” event in the financial sector, created a structured space for dialogue between female entrepreneurs and financial decision-makers, allowing seven participants from the program’s three editions to present their business models and growth strategies to BCI’s Board of Directors.
On that occasion, Bruno Dias, managing partner of EY Mozambique, emphasized that the initiative goes beyond capacity building, highlighting its role in promoting a more inclusive and dynamic ecosystem.
“Be Like a Woman is more than just a capacity-building program—it is a platform for economic and social transformation. The women entrepreneurs featured here demonstrate not only business acumen but also the ability to make an impact through job creation, innovation, and effective contributions to the national economy,” she emphasized, adding that the diversity of the projects presented highlights a growing entrepreneurial maturity, based on practices aligned with international standards and a sustainable vision for growth, reinforcing the importance of the program’s continuity and expansion.
For his part, Francisco Costa, Chairman of BCI’s Executive Committee, praised the quality of the presentations and the relevance of the initiatives to the country’s economic development. “The quality of the presentations impressed us all. It is wonderful to see Mozambique with this capacity to create value. It’s magnificent,” he said, also highlighting the importance of prudent risk management and constant attention to market dynamics.
The seven female entrepreneurs who presented their projects were: Rovuma Tech, by Shelzia Mucavele; Bindzu Agrobusiness, led by Márcia Maposse; MIRATEX, by Amirah Adam; Cruz Trading, by Maimuna Cutane; Xa Nene, founded by Dita Mpfumo Silvia Mathe; Chonguile School, founded by Célia Chambe; and Crespolândia, founded by Verónica Mandua.
According to the press release, through “Be Like a Woman,” EY reinforces its role as a catalyst for collaboration among different stakeholders in the private sector ecosystem—including financial institutions and entrepreneurs—by promoting women’s economic inclusion and their access to opportunities for growth and leadership.
The program thus establishes itself as a foundational platform for skills development, the creation of opportunities, and the acceleration of women-led businesses, actively contributing to a more resilient, diverse, and inclusive economy in Mozambique.
